Here’s What’s New In Emirates Skywards Rewards Policy

If you’ve been hoarding Emirates Skywards Miles for a luxury trip with the family, brace yourself. Emirates has quietly changed the rules. Children aged eight and under can no longer book First Class flights using the airline’s loyalty programme. Not with Miles, not with a Miles-plus-cash combo, and not even for an upgrade. For many parents who dreamed of seeing their little ones tucked into those famous suites, that’s a hard stop.

Flying With Emirates? A Miracle Of Skyward Miles, But Not For Kids Under Eight

Now, before anyone panics, this is not a blanket ban on young kids flying in First Class. Far from it. Families can still pay cash for a ticket in the premium cabin. In other words, if you’re willing to swipe the card, the door is open. What the new rule really closes off is access to the Emirates Skywards reward system for the youngest flyers. And that, truth be told, is what’s rattling regular travellers who carefully build up their Miles for years.

Skysurfers And The Fine Print

In Emirates’ world, children under 18 are known as Skysurfers. It sounds whimsical, but in practice, it’s the same loyalty membership under a different name. They can still earn Miles on every Emirates and flydubai flight, no issues there. Once they hit nine, they can also redeem those Miles for First Class rewards, but only if their membership tier is Silver, Gold or Platinum. Blue tier members, the entry-level group, don’t get that privilege at all, regardless of age. That’s a bit of a sting for families who thought even a modest stash of Miles could one day unlock the big cabin.

The Clauses Spelling It Out

Digging into the updated terms and conditions, the language is pretty clear. Clause five of the Skysurfers subsection spells out that passengers aged eight and below aren’t eligible for First Class Emirates Classic Rewards or Upgrade Rewards. Clause eleven in the Classic Rewards section doubles down, stating that only members aged nine and above, holding Silver, Gold or Platinum status, may redeem for First Class. The wording popped up sometime in August, tucked away on the airline’s website, no big press release, no grand announcement. It was the kind of change you only notice if you’re already planning to cash in.

Why It This Change In Emirates Skywards Policy Matters For Families

For frequent flyers, especially those with young children, this shift changes strategy. Instead of saving Miles for a splashy First Class treat with the whole family, parents now face a choice. Either redeem for Business or Economy, or dig deeper into their wallets for that elusive First Class seat. Come on, we all know the Emirates suite is the stuff of Instagram dreams. But in practice, only parents paying in cash will be snapping those selfies with toddlers tucked into leather recliners.

Also Read: From Hotels Booking To Flights, Here’s How You Can Score 50% Bonus Miles With Emirates Skywards!

A Loyalty Scheme Still In Motion

To be fair, Emirates Skywards is still one of the most generous reward systems in the region. Members earn Miles not just on flights, but on hotels, car hire and even Dubai experiences. Yet the latest tweak proves something regulars already know: terms evolve, sometimes quietly. After all, airlines balance loyalty perks against demand, and First Class demand on Emirates remains sky-high. The result? A reminder to check the fine print before you plan the big family getaway, because the rules of the loyalty game can change just as fast as a seat sale.

Cover Image Courtesy: Emirates Airlines/Website